Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1887-03-26
A BANEPUL HABIT.


would be task without end. Life
itself is comparable to school train
ing, and habits, like studies, attach
to, and rule, future existence. The
world delights to sanction customs,
especially it seems, those which are
ridiculous and injurious. The low
cut dress, the midnight supper and
wine table, the firt, the society
.dudes-these and many other bane-
full things emanating from habit,
will not be noticed at present. We
want to write briefly of one familiar
habit-kissing
kissing is in itself, pleasant, and
many times, quite proper. Lips
were made to kiss, judiciously, and
be it far from our purpose to upbraid
those who delightin osculatory ex-
ereise. But there is a habit women
have of kissing each other without
regard or thought of the conse-
ouences which should be condoned.
Two thirds of such kisses are as false
as that which betrayed Jesus, and
could they but carry with them the
true animus of the heart, would fill
the land with unhappiness and quar-
rels. The habit is ridiculous and
no woman who desires to enjoy
health, will allow her lips to bear
the ready nectar of a whole town.
This woman-kissing, and the similar
habit of everybody kissing the baby,
are indeed despicable and a reflection
on the intelligence and politeness of
the XIX century. How often do
women and babies, by this habit,
contract diseases, which result in
death. 1t is enough to make an an
gel weep to see the innocent little
rosy lips of a sweet babe made the
altar for the effiuvia of foul breath
and diseased lungs, while the father,
yea, even the mother, smiles pleas
antly at the dear neighbor' or pref
ty LADY, who is injecting often into
the system of their offspring the
germ of disease and dissolution.
Not one person in ten is free from
lip or mouth diseases. The mouth
and the pores of the body are the
only avenues of escape for the refuse
of the inner system. The worst dis
eases that human flesh is heir to, are
generally contagious and attach to
others by touch or atmospheric re
lation. Brochitis, consumption, liv-
er troubles, etc., may all be convey
ed to persons by the channel of the
mouth. Now, is it not shameful to
allow the baby to be thus inoculated!
Is it any wonder so many children
grow up sickly and weak-that their
little bodies scarcely know moment
of rest and health? Mothers, you
who can love so deeply and so de-
votedly, will you not be sufficiently
courageous to discountenance the
vile practice Of 'baby -kissing?' Will
you not protect the lives of your
little innocent children? We have
time and again seen nurses stop the
baby carriage on the street, TO allow
even strange women to kiss the lit
tie occupant. Custom and habit
make fools of us all. The present
generation may be wise intellectually,
but its physical incapabillty and
inferiority are plainly apparent to the
dullest perception. Reader when
ever you see the sweet lips ola little
babe prostituted by the caresses OF
foolish persons, or two women knock
ing each others bonnets off in RI
diculous attempt to kiss, don't
quiet your rising Indignation, but
openly condemn and deplore their
foolishness.-U. S. Grant Pitzer.
A GREAT CRASH AT NIAGARA.